Promoted Deportivo, Racing and Málaga add intrigue to Europe’s top flights

According to The Guardian, six promoted teams are worth watching across Europe’s top divisions this season. Among them are former European heavyweights, investment-backed projects and clubs from small towns.

Deportivo La Coruña are back in La Liga for the first time since 2018. The Galicians were once part of a Spanish “big four” alongside Barcelona, Valencia and Real Madrid. Between 1993 and 2004 they finished in the top three on nine occasions, winning the title in 1999. They also came close to European glory, losing to José Mourinho’s Porto in the 2004 Champions League semi-finals.

After that golden era, Dépor slid into decline and eventually dropped to the regional third tier in 2020. They spent four years climbing back to the second tier, then earned automatic promotion last season after finishing 15th in 2024-25. The club have shown ambition this summer with the signings of Mallorca goalkeeper Leo Román and veteran striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

Deportivo are not the only long-term absentees returning this season. Segunda champions Racing Santander are back after 15 years, while Málaga have also recovered from relegation in 2018 and a single season in the third tier in 2023-24.